Logic’s “1-800-273-8255” saved hundreds of lives after the release.
In 2017, Logic released his hit single “1-800-273-8255” with Alessia Cara and Khalid, and according to a study, the track saved many lives. The track was titled after US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When Logic performed the track at MTV Video Music Awards in 2017, the calls of the phone number soared by 50%.
A Lifeline spokeswoman verified that calls to the line spiked by 50% in the hours after the VMA performance, adding that the good message communicated on the show has had a long-lasting impact. “Previous study has indicated that calls to the Lifeline lessen callers’ emotional distress and suicidality, while other studies have suggested that media sharing tales of hope and recovery can also reduce suicides.” “This new study in The BMJ indicates that the song was related with a huge rise in calls to the Lifeline, as well as decreases in suicides with the most social media debate about the song,” said Lifeline spokesperson Kate Formichella in a statement to Billboard.
Now according to a study from BMJ, a medical trade journal from the British Medical Association, it was found out that in the 34 day period after the three events with the strongest public attention (the song’s release, the MTV Video Music Awards 2017, and Grammy Awards 2018), Lifeline received an excess of 9915 calls (95% confidence interval 6594 to 13 236), an increase of 6.9% (95% confidence interval 4.6% to 9.2%, P<0.001) over the expected number.
A corresponding model for suicides indicated a reduction over the same period of 245 suicides (95% confidence interval 36 to 453) or 5.5% (95% confidence interval 0.8% to 10.1%, P=0.02) below the expected number of suicides.
“Celebrities but also noncelebrities can have an important role in suicide prevention if they communicate about how they have coped with crisis situations and suicidal ideation,” said study author Thomas Niederkrotenthaler.
“To know that my music was actually affecting people’s lives, truly, that’s what inspired me to make the song,” Logic told CNN. “We did it from a really warm place in our hearts to try to help people. And the fact that it actually did, that blows my mind.”
[VIA]
